Eleven-year-old Tia Carter will represent the Royal Air Force and the RAF Benevolent Fund when she takes part in the Coin Toss Ceremony on Centre Court on Saturday, 14 July.

Tia and the RAF Benevolent Fund were nominated by the Wimbledon Foundation, the official charity of the All England Lawn Tennis Club and the Championships to mark the centenary of the RAF and the longstanding relationship between the Armed Forces and Wimbledon.

In 2017 the Army won all three team awards, both veteran individual awards and the fastest male officer award. The Male Team Captain, Major Edd Charlton-Weedy, spoke to us about competing in the championship.

Four women from Brightlingsea in Essex are preparing to take part in a 100km walk over 24 hours to raise money for Blind Veterans UK, the national charity for blind and vision-impaired ex-Service men and women.

Nicola Pryer, 38, works for the charity and will tackle the challenge this July in a team with her friends Tessa Bates, 40, Tasha Hales, 43, and Marsha Robinson, 39. The group have been training over the past three months for the 100km walk from London to Brighton.

“My PTSD is a dark, dark demon and I have fought with him many times. I know him well.” – Frankie

Wednesday 27th June was National PTSD Awareness Day in the USA, so Frankie Perez took the opportunity to speak out about mental health. He urged those listening to educate themselves and to seek the support they need if they are suffering.
Frankie is currently walking 1000 miles across the United States as part of the Walk Of America expedition team. He and his follow teammates have all suffered with their mental health as a result of their service.

Kev Carr is ex- British Army. He was injured in 2004 and has been a resident of The Beacon – a homeless veteran’s residence in Catterick – since August 2017. He is currently one of 6 veterans walking 1000 miles across the United States this summer as part of the Walk Of America expedition team, raising vital awareness and funds for the invisible wounds of war.

***

When I joined the Army at 17, the world was my oyster. I was ready to serve my country and be proud of the fact that I was a soldier serving alongside my allies.

Lieutenant Henry Eaton, of 17 Port & Maritime Regiment Royal Logistic Corps, plans to build on his success from last year.

What was it like to win the Officers’ Award last year?
It felt great to win the Officers’ Award, but it was still second place so of course I would be keen to try and win the overall Men’s Singles Race this year. I have been training hard to improve my timings. However, the competition will be even tougher, with the Army team developing into some of the best amateur athletes in the country and which should lead to an exciting championship.

A group of cyclists are gearing up for yet another fundraising odyssey to help raises thousands of pounds for leading Armed Forces charity Poppyscotland. The Flying Fifers will set off on Saturday (June 30th) from Leven and will cycle more than 120 miles a day for six days until they arrive in the French commune of Compiègne where the 1918 Armistice was signed. Just a few miles into their route will see the group taking part in the Armed Forces Day parade along Edinburgh’s George Street.